The Walden Project
An education, wild and free.
The Walden Project is a year-long educational experience for high school and gap year students located at Cumming Nature Center in Naples, NY. We offer interdisciplinary education in an outdoor setting with an emphasis on academic independence and freedom.
Help Fund Scholarships to Walden

Who We Are
Have you ever wondered what would happen if you followed your curiosity for a year, no matter where it took you? What would you learn if you had the freedom to explore the things that fascinate you, tracing every connection and intersection along the way? What if you discovered something amazing about yourself? What if you realized you are more resilient and resourceful than you thought?
The Walden Project - NY is a unique educational program for high school and gap year students (ages 14-19) where students explore the three fundamental questions that guided Henry David Thoreau during his sojourn to Walden Pond: What is my relationship to myself? What is my relationship to my culture? What is my relationship to the natural world?
Walden provides students with the opportunity for an interdisciplinary education in an outdoor setting where they develop their own personal philosophy and individual approach to learning. With a high emphasis on academic independence and freedom, this program has proven results that have helped prepare students for college and beyond.
Our Staff
Andy Webster, Lead Teacher
Andy is a New York State Certified Earth Science Teacher with a decade of experience as a public school science teacher. He also has a B. A. in Conservation Ecology from Sterling College in Vermont and a M. Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction from The Union Institute & University in Vermont. Andy has led nature-based outdoor education programs for his entire adult life, most recently teaching at the Cumming Nature Center's Forest School program. Outside of teaching, Andy and his partner, Maggie, have four children and a small organic farm.
Janean, Teacher & Service Learning Coordinator
Janean has a B.S. in Special Education, and years of outdoor education under her proverbial belt. She has been a part of a wide variety of volunteer organizations, and has a passion for connecting people and organizations to one another. When she's not teaching she is often backpacking, helping fix a house, or gardening with friends.
Media Highlights
The George Lucas Foundation's Edutopia wrote a great article about The Walden Project - Vermont.
The Walden Project - Vermont was featured in The Huffington Post's article These 12 Awesome Schools Could Change The Way You Think About Public Education.
Watch teachers, Andy and Janean, discuss The Walden Project - NY on the FLX1 Podcast.
About Cumming Nature Center
Cumming Nature Center (CNC) is a dynamic environmental education center that celebrates the unique landscape and culture of the Finger Lakes region through hands-on learning opportunities and thoughtful exhibits. Nestled between Canandaigua and Honeoye Lakes, our 900-acre preserve is as beautiful as it is vast. Visitors can explore the Visitors Center and hike more than 15 miles of trails through diverse habitats. From rare hemlock bogs to active beaver ponds to our iconic 90-year old red pine stand, there’s something for everyone at CNC!